Surgical restoration of portal flow corrects procoagulant and anticoagulant deficiencies associated with extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis.

Extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis (EHPVT) is associated with abnormal circulating procoagulants and anticoagulants. Eleven children with EHPVT and abnormal coagulation factors underwent a mesenterico-left portal vein bypass to restore portal flow. Coagulation factors had returned to normal by one year. The data suggest that portal venous flow is essential for maintaining normal coagulation.